So I just rebuilt my S40 Transmission on my 98 Civic Hatch. After replacing all my noisy bearings and old seals I thought I was ready to reinstall. Now I've got a problem. I can dry shift 1-5 and everything turns properly but when I shift into reverse, everything locks up. It's just like when you put three cogged gears together so that they're all touching, then none of them can rotate. Clearly I did something wrong but I don't know what. I'm hoping some experienced trans rebuilders out there will be able tell me what I screwed up so I won't have to spend days trying to figure it out on my own.

I've got the case back off and even though I can see all the gears now, I still can't figure out why they won't turn in reverse.

Somebody please help me out.

 

Did you have the countershaft pulled up into the snap ring properly ???

 

try putting it into 1st, then reverse

 

Well, I got it to work on the bench. Someone else suggested that it may have been very stiff to turn and not actually locked. It was stiff to turn when I finally got it so that may have been all it was. As far as I know I didn't do anything differently when I put it all back together. Now to put it back in the car and see if it really works.

 

The first time I rebuilt my trans I accidentally put the reverse gear in upside down and I could not get the car out of the garage. No reverse and it was locked in place. Felt like reverse didn't exist. I'd check that. This is the proper way it sits. Hope this helps.